Lustre vs Glossy: What's the Difference?

Both beginners and experienced photographers want to take beautiful pictures. Let's imagine that you manage to catch a good moment and capture the landscape you are interested in. After that, however, the next problem arises: how to print photos so they are beautiful?

Some users like glossy and others — matte photos. Sometimes, this confrontation is compounded by a lustre one. And every day, there is more and more controversy on the topic of which photo paper to choose: lustre vs glossy vs matte. As usual, there is no right answer. The final choice depends on many factors ranging from your preference for the type of photo to how it will be stored. 

In today's article, we will focus on the differences between glossy and lustre paper types. Hope that after reading it, you will be able to make the final point in the argument about lustre print vs glossy!

What is a Glossy Finish?

• A glossy finish is a shiny, reflective surface applied to photos, prints, or materials to enhance colors and details while giving a polished appearance. It is perfect for high-contrast images that require sharpness and depth, such as landscapes or commercial prints.

Talk about gloss we immediately think of something shiny and smooth. This is one of the most popular photo paper types. We're sure you've definitely seen it in glossy magazines.

It's also often used to make eye-catching family portraits that can be found hanging on the wall of every home. However, if you want to hang such a picture under glass on a frame – I urge you to refrain from this reckless step. The point is the glass is already shiny, so you get too much shine. Leave such pictures for the photo album and you will not regret it: they will look just incredible! Remember that care must be taken when handling photos. Even a delicate touch can leave ugly fingerprints.

This type of paper allows you to provide not only a high brightness of colors but also to convey well the black and white tones. For this reason, it is excellent for creating images in high contrast. It has no textures that can degrade the quality of the image, which provides great depth and sharpness. 

Advantages

Photographers appreciate glossy photo paper for such reasons:

• Thanks to the smooth reflective coating, all details are imprinted as clearly as possible, so they are perfectly visible.

• The high brightness ensures maximum color rendering, so pictures look bright and vivid.

• Perfectly shows the shades of black and white due to the high contrast.

Disadvantages

One of the biggest drawbacks is the difficulty of placement. If you put such a photo in the sunlight, you can't even make out the general picture, let alone the tones. Also, the glossy paper constantly smudges, so remember that every touch can ruin a perfect photo. Be as careful as possible with these images, otherwise, you will soon have to make a new print.

What is a Matte Finish?

• A matte finish is a non-reflective, flat surface applied to photos or materials, reducing glare and providing soft colors and details. It is perfect for portraits, artistic prints, or images displayed in bright light, where subtle tones and a glare-free view are desired.

In the confrontation of lustre vs glossy photos, we should not forget about matte pictures. Their main advantage is the absence of glare. Images look softer; there are no sharp edges. The reason is that matte has no additional reflective surface that can affect shine. This option is ideal for black-and-white images, as well as for photos that can be put in a purse. It will also be optimal for vintage portraits.

Advantages

Photographers appreciate matte photo paper for such reasons:

• The non-reflective coating eliminates glare, making the image clearly visible from any angle, even in bright lighting.

• The soft texture reduces harsh contrasts, providing a more natural and subdued appearance for portraits and landscapes.

• Fingerprints and smudges are less noticeable, allowing for easier handling without the risk of ruining the image.

Disadvantages

One of the biggest drawbacks is the reduced sharpness and color vibrancy compared to glossy finishes. While the matte texture softens the image, it can also dull vivid colors and finer details, making photos appear less crisp and bright. Additionally, matte finishes may not be ideal for showcasing high-contrast images, as the muted tones can diminish the depth and clarity of black-and-white shades.

What Is Lustre Photo Finish?

• A lustre photo finish is a hybrid surface between glossy and matte, offering a slight sheen without the high reflectiveness of glossy finishes. It is perfect for portraits and event photography.

If glossy and matte finishes are two extremes—with the former being too shiny and the latter too dull—then lustre is a balance between the two. This paper is made of different materials and has a distinct level of gloss, providing a unique balance that enhances color reproduction without the drawbacks of either extreme. 

There is often some confusion between lustre vs matte finishes, so let’s be clear. Unlike matte paper, which can cause colors to fade, or glossy paper, which can make colors too bright, luster photo prints offer vibrant yet natural-looking colors. Some photographers claim that lustre photo prints look like glass that's why they don't look natural. 

So, we’ve exploredthe lustre definition. Next, let's find out what its advantages and disadvantages are so that we don't have to regret our choice.

Advantages

This type of photo paper has many positive features:                         

• It has great versatility, as it is suitable for many types of photos.

• More resistant to scratches and fingerprints than the previous type.

• Perfect for portraits that you want to hang in a gallery or near your desk. Even if you hang such a picture in sunlight, you can see all the tones without any problems.

Disadvantages

Although the unique texture allows you to place the lustre photo almost anywhere, it also has its disadvantages. The main one concerns the fact that the photographer will not be able to achieve such a bright and contrasting image. Clarity will also suffer a little: the picture may be a little less clear than with glossy photo paper.

Which Photo Finish is Better for Your Work?

After we thoroughly understand the difference, let's try to determine which type of photo paper is better. Unfortunately, it is simply impossible to objectively choose a winner in the luster prints vs glossy vs matte contest. It will all depend on what the photographer needs, as different types of paper are needed for different purposes.

Many professionals prefer to use lustre, as it allows you to take softer pictures in which you can see all the details. However, if you want to impress viewers and show them maximum contrast and color reproduction, then glossy comes into play. Matte paper, on the other hand, is ideal for situations where a non-reflective, glare-free finish is required, offering a more subtle and artistic feel.

If you are not sure of your choice, do not be afraid to experiment! There are other types of photo paper besides these two. For example, matte is great for small images that you will often process. Metallic would be great if you want to capture a water reflection.

Conclusion

Today, we had a little lustre photo vs glossy vs matte competition. The winner could not be determined. This is not surprising because they are used for different purposes. We are sure that understanding comes with experience, so don't be afraid to make a mistake. We hope that this article was useful for you and wish you always have incredible photos!